North East exporters are continuing to make this the only one in the UK with a consistent positive balance of trade, despite seeing a small dip in foreign trade year-on-year.

The latest quarterly export figures released by HMRC show the value of exports from the North East in the 12 months to the end of the fourth quarter of 2015 was £12.14bn compared to the previous rolling 12-month period at £12.47bn.

The fastest growing markets are in Germany, which saw 38% growth to £897m, China, which grew by 55% to £454m, and Denmark with a total value of £124m, an increase of 92%.

David Coppock, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Regional Director, said: “Despite this small drop in exports I remain encouraged by the high value of exports to our top markets and the continued strength in sectors such as Medicine and pharmaceuticals.

“We know that there are potentially many more North East businesses who with a little help could start their own exciting and rewarding export journeys and I would urge them to get in touch with us to see how we can help.”

The Netherlands retains its top spot as the largest single market for NE goods with a 12-month export value of £1.655bn, a small fall of 1.34% compared to the previous year.

North East export values for 11 of the region’s top 20 markets grew over the past 12 months with those top 20 markets representing 83.2% of all annual exports from the region.

Meanwhile, a group of North East prestigious hotels – Seaham Hall, Rockliffe Hall, Matfen Hall and Lumley Castle – have been working with UKTI to represent the North East and provide US travellers with a rounded picture of luxury stays available in the region.

The next step involves a visit from a US tourism delegation who will be at Matfen Hall in Northumberland this weekend, following a two-day Explore GB conference in Liverpool.

Sue Beverley, UKTI Trade Adviser, said: “The luxury hotels of North East England and UKTI have worked hard together to raise their profile in the American market and this visit is the culmination of all those efforts.

“It is an exciting time for the region and UKTI ‘s export assistance has played a vital part in helping the hotel’s increase their overseas business.”

Sarah Barber, sales and marketing director of Matfen Hall Hotel said: “Our group of four hotels offers American tourists something a little bit out of the ordinary.

“Whilst each of the properties are different, we all offer a quirky English charm with a sense of history and romance that our American visitors really love. This, together with the highest standards of customer care will help us in securing more American visitors to the region in future.”